AUTUMN SOUP WITH PISTOU

Autumn Soup with Pistou image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 (6-ounce) piece lean smoked bacon, diced
1 1/2 cups diced (1 medium-large) white onion
1 cup diced celery
2/3 cup diced (1 medium) carrot
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves or 1/2 teaspoon, dried
6 cups chicken stock or canned chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 (1-pound) cans cannellini beans, rinsed well and drained
3 large firm ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped or 2 (1-pound) cans tomatoes, drained and chopped
1 cup small pasta shells
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 1/2 cups packed basil leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt, to taste

Steps:

In a soup pot or casserole cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until it is golden. With a slotted spoon transfer to a plate lined with paper towel.
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from the pan and add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic, thyme and rosemary and cook over moderate heat, covered, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock or broth and salt and pepper to taste, bring to a boil and simmer the soup, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Add the beans and tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta and simmer the soup, covered, for 10 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Let stand off heat, covered, for 5 minutes.
Make the Pistou: In a small food processor or blender, combine garlic, basil, Parmesan and pepper and with machine running, add oil in a stream. Puree until well blended. Add salt to taste.
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve topped with the Pistou and accompanied by fontina and Parmesan toasts.